> Adams Theater serves as a catalyst for downtown revitalization in Adams, MA.
Built in 1937 to replace the burned-down Atlas Theater in downtown Adams, MA, Adams Theater played a vital role in connecting generations of local residents until its closure as a movie theater in 1967.
Adams Theater LLC was formed in March 2021 to revitalize the 12,443 sqft Theater for year-round programs in multi-disciplinary arts, with the goal of spurring economic growth and strengthening community ties.
> Adams theater fosters arts & cultural partnerships.
Adams Theater invests in the development of artists and their bold visions. Programmed by visual and performing artists, spatially curated by architects and designers, and operated by the local community, Adams Theater is a creative hub where innovative thinkers and makers can gather and collaborate.
> Adams Theater creates a versatile new stage for diverse, inclusive, and affordable performances.
Adams Theater celebrates rehearsals as much as performances. It hosts workshops as well as community events. It focuses on accessibility to all demographics and stimulates dialogues between different user groups.
Located in the heart of downtown Adams, MA, Adams Theater is under development to become a multi-functional performing arts center. It will provide a new stage for artists and cultural entrepreneurs to collaborate and to expand the creative economy in Berkshire County.
VISION
ABOUT
TEAM
Founder and Executive Director: Yina Moore
Yina offers a unique professional background that combines two decades of work in finance, arts, architecture, and non-profit management.
Born and raised in Shanghai, China, Yina came to the United States for undergraduate study at Hamilton College and graduated as the Valedictorian with a double major in Economics and Studio Art. Yina worked for investment banks in New York for twelve years, during which she consistently volunteered as the Treasurer for two non-profit organizations that focus on arts equity (Opening Act) and women's leadership (The Asian Women's Leadership University Project).
The positive experiences with arts and education motivated Yina to leave finance to pursue her long-standing passion in architecture in 2015. She obtained a Master of Architecture Degree from Harvard University and has initiated a number of projects that intersect her works in finance, arts, and space-making. She was one of the lead designers of Zibo OCT Art Center, a cultural museum constructed in September 2020 to revitalize a small-town economy in Shandong, China. She also worked as the Chief Architect of the Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture Museum project in North Adams, MA, from October 2019 to July 2021.
The revitalization work of Adams Theater is a continuation of her passions in spatial design, arts development, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Yina joined the Board of Adams Arts Advisory Board in July 2021 to foster more creative partnerships among the arts communities in Berkshire County.
Artistic Advisors:
Nana Simopoulos and Caryn Heilman: Founders of Topia Arts Center, the former owner of Adams Theater
George LeMaitre: Founder of 13.5 Grove Art Works and Board Member of Adams Arts Advisory Board
Christopher Kuo: Director at Citigroup, Concert Pianist
Joe Wheaton: Berkshire based Artist
Director of Communications:
Jodi Joseph: former Communications Director at MASS MoCA
Director of Facilities:
Stephen Stenson: Owner of Mausert Block and Founder of downtownAdams
Artistic coordinator:
Kyle Elgarten
Design Consultants:
Aishwarya Sarvade, Kira Horie, Wilson Harkhono, Elena Hasbun
Past Interns:
Cecilia Marszalek, Sascha Racela
FRIENDS OF THE THEATER COMMITTEE
David Bissaillon
Bernie Pinsonnault
Brenda Burdick
George LeMaitre & Patricia Fietta
Heather Linscott